Why walking might be one of the most underrated mindset practices

Kicking off Season 3 of the UNBOUND Performance Podcast, we explore how something as simple as walking can unlock massive benefits for your mind, creativity, and overall performance. Inspired by Bruce Bochy’s daily walking habit and research shared in The Athletic, we unpack how walking helps regulate emotions, sharpen decision-making, and activate the kind of mental clarity most athletes and coaches chase but rarely find.

From elite athletes to world-class thinkers like Steve Jobs and Daniel Kahneman, walking has long been used as a way to generate ideas, clear the mind, and reset the nervous system. But now, the science is catching up—revealing that walking increases blood flow to the brain, stimulates the creative process, and helps us toggle between reflection and focus. It’s not just movement; it’s a mindset practice in disguise.

We also share our own experiences with walking as a form of mental reset, creative fuel, and personal reflection—and why it might be one of the most underrated tools in your performance toolkit. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or just feeling stuck in your head, this episode will make you rethink how you use your steps.